Internal-combustion-engine-starting mechanism



Feb. 16 1926. 1,572,999

R. HARRIS INTERNAL COMBUSTION EN3INE STARTING MECHANISM Filed Ap all 5,1924 2 SheetsSheet 1 v N I l lllllllllll 1 a it "I 3n um H01, REX122E315.

.[ MMM Feb. 16 1926. 1,572,999

R. HARRIS INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM Filed April 19242 Sheets-Sheet 2 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Rex Hearts, a citizen of the United States, residingat Diego in the county of San D ego a d Int-ate or new and startingfourth, to provide a mechanism of this class in which the triggermechanism for discharging the cartridge 15 operated simultaneously withthe opening of the valve, thus connecting the cartridge chamber with theengine cylinder; fifth, to provide a mechanism of this class in whichthe valve and trigger are automatically returned to their originalpositions when the operating lever is released and after the cartridgehas been discharged; sixth, to provide auxiliary trigger releasing meansin connection with a mechanism of this class to facilitate the loadingof the same; seventh, to provide an adapter for a mechanism of thisclass by means of which the mechanism may be readily secured to the gasengine cylinder at the spark plug opening or other similar openingtherein; eighth to provide a novelly constructed mechanism of thisclass, and ninth, to provide a mechanism of this class which is verysimple and economical of construction, durable, and which will notreadily deteriorat-e'or get out'of order.

\Vith these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, myinvention consists of certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will he hereinafterdescribed in detail and particularly set forth in the DEC-1'6,CiQZFORNIA.

DIE-STARTEEG :nnonanrsta.

1924. Serial Ho, 703,911.

appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and tothe characters of reference thereon, which form a part of thisapplication, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional ele rational view of my startingmechanism, secured to an engine cylinder, shown fraginentarily with thesection taken through 1--1 of ig. 2, showing the means in con nectiontherewith for indicating the position of the isten in the enginecylinder and showing oy dotted lines certain shifted posiions of thehammer and breech block; Fig. is a longitudinal sectional view thereof,'alzen through 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing cerrim P-r -acilitate theillustration; Fig. 3 is a side elerational view of the cartridgeexploding mechanism, der, with certain parts and portions theref brokeaway and in.- section, and Fig. l is a transverse sectional Viewthereof, taken through '-li of Fig. 3.

Like characters of reference refer to similar parts and portionsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

The barrel 1, adapter 2, engine cylinder 3, gasket 4, cartridge 5, frame6, breech block 7, pin 8, spring 9, screw 10, hammer 11, pin 12, firingpin 13, spring 14, firing pin retaining screw 15, spring 16, springcasing members 17 and 18, pin 19, screw 20, trigger member 21, spring22, screw 23, valve 2i, screw 25, spring 26, washers 27, nut 28, spring29, spring casing members 30 and 31, screws 22 and 33, pins 34, extrastor 35, camshaft 36, valve rods 87 and the piston position indicatingmembers 38 and 39, constitute the principal parts and portions of myengine starting mechanisnn The barrel 1 is provided at one end with areduced threaded portion 1, which is adapted to be screwed into athreaded'recess of the adapter 2, which adapter is also provided with areduced, externally threaded portion 2, which portion is adapted to bescrewed into a threaded recess in the wall of the engine cylinder 3. Itwill be noted that the adapter 2 is used only when the reduced I portionof the barrel does not conform with the recess provided in the enginecylinder, and further, that the externally threaded portion of theadapter is made to accomm0- date the hole already provided in the enginecylinder. It will also be noted that the bore of the barrel, theadapter, and the hole ain parts and portions thereof in plan to separatefrom the engine cylini through the cylinder wall are in alignment witheach other to facilitate the passage of the gases, under pressure, intothe engine cylinder. Interposedbetween the end of the barrel and theadapter is a gasket 4. The bore of the barrel at its opposite or outerend is slightly enlarged to receive the cartridge 5, of specialconstruction, which is retained in position by the breech block 7 Thecartridge 5 is provided with a paraffin or similar readily combustiblewad to retain the powder therein, which wad is quickly burned up whenthe explosion takes place. Said outer end of the barrel isalso-externally threaded to receive and support the frame 6 in which ispivotally mounted the breech block 7 by means of the pin 8. Said breechblock is retained in position against the end of the barrel and thecartridge by means of the sprin 9, secured within the frame 6 by meansof the screw 10. A hammer 11 is also pivotally mounted in the frame 6 bymeans of the pin 12 extending therethrough and secured in the frame.Said breech block 7 and hammer 11 are so constructed and positionedrelatively to each other that the breech block bears against the hammermember and cannot be forced backwardly when the hammer member is forwardfrom its extreme rear position. Nor

' can the hammer be released and allowed to move forwardly when thebreech block is drawn backwardly or disengaged from the rear end of thebarrel 1. A firing pin 13 is reciprocally mounted ,in the breech block 7and retained therein by the screw 15. The firing pinjs retained in awithdrawn position by the spring 14:, positioned around the same andbetween the shoulders within the breech block and on thefiring pin. Whenthe hammer member 11" is released, it is 16, positioned within thetelescoping spring casing members 17 and 18, the member 18 beingpivotally connected to the hammer member 11 by means of the pin 19, andthe other casingv member being pivotally mounted within the frame 6 bymeans of the screw 20. The hammer member 11 is retained in a backward orcooked position by means of the trigger member 21, reciprocally mountedin the lower portion of the frame 6. The rear portion of the triggermember 21 is reduced and resilient, which permits the same to be forceddownwardly'or away from the hammer member by means of the down wardlyextending pawl portion 11 on the latter. Said trigger member is furtherheld in engagement with the pawl portion 11 by ates or trips the hammerfor firing. The

lug 21 spaced from the end of the trigger member and from the lug 21,extends a greater distance from the trigger member,

and is adapted to retain the hammer memmember, which portion extendsoutwardly through the frame 6, and is adapted to be depressed manually.At the opposite end of the trigger member 21 and outside of the frame 6is provided an upwardly extended portion 21 provided with a slot 21through which slot extends the screw 25, which piv otally connects thetrigger member with the valve24. The tapered valve 24 is rotatablymounted in and extends transversely through an enlarged portion of thebarrel 1, a hole 24 being provided in. the valve to provide a continuouspassage from the outer end of the barrel to the engine cylinder. Thesmall end of the tapered valve is reduced, forming a straightportion24", which extends through the wall of the barrel. Around thisreduced portion is positioned the compression spring 26with washers 27at either end thereof bearing against the barrel and the nut 2-8, whichnut is secured "to the end of the portion 24 for adjusting the tensionof the spring 26. The enlarged end of the valve is provided with anoutwardly extending lug 24, in which is se-' barrel, which serveas stopsfor the open and closed positions of the valve. The valve 24 is held ina closed position, shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, by means ofthe compression spring 29, positioned in the telescoping spring casingmembers 30 and 31,

the former being pivotally connected to the frame 6 by means of thescrew 32, and the latter casing member being pivotally connected to thelug 24 by means of the screw 33. Reciprocally mounted in the outer endof the barrel 1 is the extractor 35, as shown best in Fig. 2 of thedrawings and by dotted lines in Fig. 3. Said extractor is provided witha downwardly extending portion 35, which extends into the recess-7 ofthe breech block 7, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, theends of the recess portion engaging the portion 35", withdrawing or 1forcing the extractor inwardly, for extracttion engine, which operatesthe valve rods.

37 when the cam-shaft is positioned at the side of the engine frame, isalso used to indicate the position of the piston within the enginecylinder prior to starting the engine with my starting mechanism. Thisstarting position of the piston is a position slightly past the top deadcenter with a charge of combustible gases in the combustion chamher. Onthe cam-shaft 36 is secured an indicating linger 38, which extendsoutwardly therefrom, and spaced therefromand in line therewith when thepiston is positioned as stated, is positioned a corresponding indicatingfinger fixedly secured to the frame of the engine. it is obvious thatsince the speed of the camshaft is one-half the speed of thecrank-shaft, as in an engine of the fourcycle type, the indicatingfingers 38 and 39 will align with each other once every two strokes ofthe piston, and when properly secured to the cam-shaft will indicate theproper position o the piston for starting.

It is obvious from the above that when the indicating fingers 38 and 39are positioned in. alignment with each other, and with a cartridge 52 inthe chamber of the barrel, the opening 24 of the valve 24 will alignwith the bore of the barrel when the handle portion of the valve isturned clockwise, drawing the trigger memberfil outwardly from the frame6, rotating the hammer member 11 about its pivot, and by the time theopening 2 of the valve is in alignment with the bore of the barrel 1,the harm mer member will be released by the trigger member, permittingthe same to spring forwardly to engage the tiring pin and discharge thecartridge, permitting the gases to be forced into the combustion chamberof the engine cylinder, forcing outwardly the piston and igniting thegases therein, Immediately, when the handle 24 is released, the spring29 will automatically close the valve and force the trigger member 21into the frame 6, permitting the same to engage the pawl portion 11 ofthe hammer member 11. Though I have shown and described a particularconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, 1 donot wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination andarrangement,

but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction,combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appendedclaims.

It 1s obvious from this construction that there is provided an internalcombustion engine starting mechanism which may be readily connected andsecured to an internal combustion engine cylinder for forcing outwardlythe piston in the same and simultaneously igniting the gases therein,thus starting the engine; that there is provided a novel manuallyoperated and automatically controlled mechanism of this class, and amechanism in which a cartridge is used to supply the energy for movingthe piston in the cylinder to which it is connected and is adapted toignite the gas therein; that there is provided aunechanism of this classin which the trigger mechanism for discharging the cartridge is operatedsimultaneously with the opening of the valve by which the cartridgechamber is connected with the engine cylinder; that there is provided amechanism of this class in which the valve and trigger are automaticallyreturned to their original position when the operating lever isreleased; that there is provided an adapter for a mechanism of thisclass by means of which the mechanism may be readily secured to any gasengine cylinder at the spark plug opening or other similar openingtherein; that there is provided a novelly constructed mechanism of thisclass, and a mechanism which is very simple and economical'o-fconstruction, du-

rable, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

Having thus described my invention, J I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mechanism of the class described the combination with aninternal combustion engine cylinder of a barrel secured t said cylinderand having a bore communi catingwith the combustion chamber of saidcylinder, a frame secured to the outer end of said barrel, a breechmember pivotally mounted in said frame, engaging in its forwardpositionthe end of said barrel, firing pin reciprocally mounted in said breechmember, a hammer member pivotally mounted in said frame adapted toengage one end of said firing pin, and a resilient trigger member,reciprocally mounted in said frame, operable from one end and providedwith a handle portion at its rear end extending through said frame forreleasing said hammer member when the mechanism is loaded.

2. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with aninternal combustion engine cylinder of a barrel secured to said cylinderand having a bore communicating with the combustion chamber of saidcylinder, a frame secured to the outer end of said barrel, a breechmember pivotally mounted in said frame, engaging in its forward positionthe end of said barrel, a firing pin reciprocally mounted in said breechmember, a hammer member pivotally mounted in said frame adapted toengage one end of said firing pin, and a resilient trigger memberreciprocally mounted insaid frame, operable from one end and providedwith a handle portion at its rear end extending through said frame forreleasing 5 said hammer member when the mechanism is loaded, andcombined means in connection therewith to facilitate the cooking andreleasing of said hammer member.

'3. In a mechanism of the class described,

i -the combination with an internal combustion engine cylinder of. abarrel secured to said cylinder and having a bore communicating with thecombustion chamber of saidcylinder, a frame secured to the'outer end ofsaid barrel, a breech member pivotallymounted in said frame, engaging inits forward position the endof said barrel, a

firing pin reciprocally mounted in said breech member, a hammer memberpivot- 29 ally mounted in 'said frame adapted to engage one end of saidfiring pin, a valve positioned in said barrel intermediate its ends,means for manually operating said valve, and means in connection withsaid valve and mounted in said frame H1 connectionwith said hammer forreleasing the same when said valve is in an open position.

' 4; In a mechanism of the class described,

the combination with an internal combus- 9 tion engine cylinder of abarrel secured to' said cylinder, a' frame secured to said barrel, abreech member mounted in said frame, a firing pin reciprocallyv mountedin said breech member, a hammer member mounted in said frame adapted toengage one end of said firing pin, a valve positioned in said barrelintermediate its ends, means for manually operating said valve, means inconnection with said valve and said hammer indicating the position ofthe piston. of the cylinder to which the barrel is connected.

7. In a mechanism of the class described,

the combination with a gas engine cylinder of. an adapter secured to andcommunicating with the interior of'said engine cylinder, a barrelsupported by and communicating with said adapter, .'-a frame secured atthe opposite end of said barrel, a breech mem-.

ber mounted in said frame: adapted to engage the outer end of saidbarrel, a firing pin reciprocally mounted in said breech member, ahammer member mounted in said frame adapted to engage said firing pinwhen released, a trigger mounted in saidframe for releasing said hammermember, a valve positioned in said barrel, and means for operating saidvalve.

8. In a mechanism of the class described,

the combination with a gas engine cylinder ofan adapter secured to. andcommunicating with the interiorof said engine cylinder, a barrelsupported by and communicating with said adapter, aframe secured at theopposite end of said barrel, a breech member mounted in said frameadapted to engage the outer end of said' barrel, a firing pinreciprocally mounted in said breech member, a hammer member, mounted insaid frame adapted to engage said firing pin I when released, a valvemounted in said-bar rel intermediate its ends, means for operatingsaidvalve, and means in connection with said valve and said. hammer membermember for simultaneously opening said valve and releasing saidhammermember, and automatic means in connection with said valve forclosing the same.

' 5.; In a mechanism of he class described, 45 the combination with aninternal combustion engine'cylinder of a barrel secured to.saidcylinder, a frame secured to said barrel, a breech member mountedin said frame, a

vfiring pin reciprocally mounted in said 50 breech member, a hammermember mounted in said frame adapted to engage one end of said firingpin, a valve positioned in said barrel intermediate its ends, means formanually operating said valve, means in connection with said valve andsaid hammer member,-for simultaneously opening said valve and releasingsaid hammer member, automatic means in connection with said valve forclosing the same, and means in connec- .'tion with said engine forindicating the position of the piston of the cylinder to which saidbarrel is connected.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with aninternal combustion engine cylinder of a barrelsecured tofor'simultaneously opening said yalve and releasing said hammer member.

9. In a mechanism of the'class described, the combination with a gasengine cylinder of an adapter secured to and communicating with theinterior of said engine cylinder, a barrel supported by andcommunicating with said adapter, a frame secured at the opposite end ofsaidbarrel, a'breech member mounted .in said frame adapted to engagetheouter'end of said barrel, a firing pin reciprocally mounted in saidbreech -memher, a hammer member mounted insaid frame adapted to engagesaid firing pin when released, a Valve mounted in said barrelintermediate its ends, means for operating said valve, means inconnectionwith said valve and said hammer member for simultaneouslyopening said valve and rerava es connection with said valve and saidfiring means whereby said firing means is released simultaneously withthe opening of said valve.

11. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a gasengine cylinder of a barrel supported at its one end on said cylinderand communicating with the interior thereof and adapted to receive atits opposite end a cartridge, means for holding said cartridge inposition and firing the same, a valve revolubly mounted in said barrelintermediate its ends means in connectlon with said valve and saidfiring means whereby said firing means is released simultaneously Withthe opening of said valve, and automatic means in connection With saidvalve for closing the same after the cartridge in said barrel has beenexploded.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Diego,California, this 25th day of March, 1924.

REX HARRIS.

